no mean feat

USAGE SUMMARY

"no mean feat" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an accomplishment that required a significant amount of skill, effort, or determination. For example, "Winning a gold medal at the Olympics is no mean feat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is no mean feat.

BBC

And that's no mean feat.

The New York Times - Books

No mean feat this one.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That is no mean feat.

The Washington Post

Getting a table is no mean feat.

Independent

Go Ape is no mean feat.

The Guardian

That alone would be no mean feat.

The Economist

It would be no mean feat.

Independent

All this is no mean feat.

The Economist

No mean feat, we can assure you.

Independent

No mean feat for a Conservative.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, ensure "no mean feat" aligns with the overall tone and doesn't appear overly colloquial.

Common error

Avoid using "no mean feat" when describing trivial accomplishments; its strength lies in highlighting genuinely challenging achievements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "no mean feat" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes an accomplishment or task that required significant skill or effort. It adds emphasis to the difficulty and impressiveness of the achievement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "no mean feat" is a common and correct English idiom used to describe an accomplishment that requires considerable skill and effort. As Ludwig AI highlights, it’s suitable for various writing contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure that the accomplishment you're describing is genuinely challenging to avoid understatement. Consider related phrases like "significant achievement" or "remarkable achievement" for variety. Remember that while the phrase is widely accepted, it leans towards a neutral or slightly formal register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remarkable achievement

Highlights the exceptional nature of the accomplishment.

considerable accomplishment

Emphasizes the scale and impact of the achievement.

significant achievement

Focuses on the accomplishment itself, highlighting its importance.

notable accomplishment

Stresses the worthiness of being noticed and remembered.

formidable challenge

Emphasizes the size and difficulty of the challenge.

challenging endeavor

Highlights both the difficulty and the effort involved.

difficult task

Shifts focus to the challenging nature of the undertaking.

demanding undertaking

Emphasizes the high level of effort required.

substantial undertaking

Highlights the scale and importance of the project.

not easily done

Focuses on the difficulty without emphasizing the achievement.

FAQs

How to use "no mean feat" in a sentence?

Use "no mean feat" to describe an action or achievement that required considerable skill or effort. For example, "Completing the marathon in under three hours was "no mean feat"".

What does "no mean feat" actually mean?

"No mean feat" means that something was not easy to accomplish and required a significant amount of effort or skill. It implies that the achievement is noteworthy.

What can I say instead of "no mean feat"?

You can use alternatives like "significant achievement", "remarkable achievement", or "formidable challenge" to express a similar idea.

Is it correct to say "no mean feat"?

Yes, "no mean feat" is a correct and commonly used idiom in English. It is used to describe something that is difficult to achieve.